| Opening a restaurant can be both exciting and | | | | want them to be comfortable. Consider your dining |
| overwhelming! Between preparing menus, budgeting, | | | | environment and choose appropriate clothing. Long |
| hiring and decorating, planning waitstaff uniforms may | | | | sleeves and jackets would not be a good choice for a |
| end up at the bottom of the list. Server uniforms, | | | | server working an outside dining room in the summer! |
| however, are the first thing your customers see when | | | | Not only would your staff be uncomfortable, but |
| they enter the restaurant. Clean, professional uniforms | | | | sweat-stained uniforms are not attractive to your |
| will create a positive impression. Strong branding can | | | | customers. Consider cool fabrics like cotton for warm |
| reinforce brand loyalty. Comfortable clothing will allow | | | | conditions or for servers that move quickly. Cooler |
| your staff to concentrate on customers. Here are | | | | fabrics will also save on cooling costs. On the flip side, |
| some tips to make this important decision less | | | | consider uniforms with sweater or jacket options if |
| overwhelming. | | | | your staff will sometimes want extra layers for |
| Know Who You Are | | | | warmth. Mismatched pullovers won't create the |
| Your restaurant probably falls into one of two | | | | impression you want. Any fabrics you choose should |
| categories: formal or casual. Casual restaurants need | | | | be extremely durable and able to survive multiple |
| uniforms that are quickly recognized. This helps | | | | washings. Ask about wrinkle free and treated fabric |
| customers identify who to go to for help and ordering. | | | | options to get the most wear and value out of your |
| A cohesive, branded look will create an impression of | | | | uniforms. |
| teamwork among your staff. Think about the image | | | | Choose Your Provider |
| you want to convey: edgy? traditional? urban? retro? | | | | Once you have decided on basic requirements for |
| comfortable? etc. Choose a uniform style that works | | | | your uniforms, you are ready to research your apparel |
| with the brand you are busy building. | | | | provider. A quality provider will be able to offer you a |
| Formal or upscale restaurant server uniforms should | | | | variety of styles and work with you to develop the |
| convey the sense that your guests are going to get | | | | perfect purchasing program for your business. You will |
| extra special attention. Ties and vests can add a | | | | want to ask if leasing or buying is better for you. With |
| formal polish. Aprons or smocks are not only | | | | modern e-commerce technology, you have many |
| fashionable, but practical as well. Just as in casual | | | | choices among inventory management systems - |
| dining, branding is important, but a formal restaurant will | | | | from personalized company stores to on-demand |
| focus more on atmosphere than identity. Choose a | | | | shipping and online tracking. A good provider will |
| uniform style that enhances the mood and dining | | | | answer your questions and work with you to develop |
| experience you wish to create for your customers. | | | | a cost effective system based on your needs so you |
| Think Practically | | | | can spend your time on what you love the most: |
| You want your waitstaff to look good, but you also | | | | Making your guests happy! |